What Wire Size For 200 Amp Service

What size wire for 200 amp service should you buy? If y'all're request this question, yous should definitely call an electrician. But for your own knowledge, nosotros'll explain wire sizing and considerations in the guide below.

Disclaimer: The data included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal, financial, or DIY advice. We highly suggest consulting a professional person before attempting any DIY abode improvements or repairs.

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What Size Wire for 200 Amp Service?

Smart homes and digital connection are the future for homeowners. We need electrical panels that can handle the digital future, and many homeowners are upgrading their systems to 200 amp service.

Knowing what size wire for 200 amp service is critical to setting upward your electric system to work for years to come. But how exercise you cull from the options?

The Quick Answer

Installing a 200 amp service requires a let and professional person experience. While you'll need a qualified electrician, it's good to know the basics ahead of fourth dimension.

For a 200 amp service, you lot'll need:

#2/0 copper wire, or
#4/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire

Y'all'll need to consider a few things when selecting your wiring, including your personal preferences, the voltage drop, and the length of the wire. Don't worry – nosotros'll explicate each of these in detail beneath.

What Size Wire Exercise You lot Demand for 200 Amp Service

The size wire you demand for 200 amp service depends on the type of wire you're getting. Allow's look at the difference betwixt a copper wire and an aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire. And then nosotros'll get into the factors yous should consider when choosing your wiring.

Copper Wiring

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Copper wiring is the best in the business. Its high conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance, and flexibility make information technology ideal for wiring in any situation. Withal, copper tin be more expensive and more complex to install. Here'south everything you need to know nigh copper wiring:

High Electrical conductivity: Copper is a naturally highly conductive metal . Only silver is better at conducting electricity. Because it's slap-up at conducting electricity, you can use it for much longer distances, and you tin can employ a much smaller gauge than for aluminum.
Oestrus and Corrosion Resistant: While copper changes color from oxidation, those changes don't affect its functioning. Copper is corrosion-resistant and will stand up the test of fourth dimension. It's also a lot more than heat resistant than aluminum. Oestrus doesn't crusade it to aggrandize or flex nigh equally much, so it stays in place.
Flexible: Since yous can utilise thinner strands of copper wire, it's much easier to bend and wrap without breaking.
In for the Distance: Over again, since copper is so highly conductive and sturdy, information technology'south meliorate for length and doesn't lose its voltage over longer distances.

Again, copper is probably the best cloth for wiring, but it does accept downsides, which nosotros'll affect in the next section.

The Short Respond: When using a 200 amp service, y'all'll want a #two/0 copper wire.

Aluminum

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Aluminum has less conductivity than copper and too responds more quickly to rut and corrosion. To make up for the lack of electrical conductivity, yous also demand a higher gauge – i.east., a thicker wire.

All the same, near electricians prefer aluminum for a few reasons. The downsides of copper are that it's expensive, heavy, and trickier to install. And that'due south precisely why electricians frequently choose to apply aluminum.

Here are the main benefits of using aluminum wiring:

Easier Installation: Aluminum is much lighter than copper – even when you account for the higher gauge needed for proper conductivity. Since it's so lightweight, aluminum is fast and easy to install. If you want a job done quickly, aluminum is the solution.
Cheaper: Bottom line, aluminum is more affordable than copper. It works well and doesn't break the bank.

The Brusk Answer: For a 200 amp service, you'll need a #4/0 aluminum wire.

Copper-Clad Aluminum

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Copper-clad aluminum is your third selection, and it provides some of the benefits of both previous options. Let'due south compare it to the other two.

Cheaper just Not Cheapest: Copper-clad aluminum is more affordable than pure copper just more expensive than aluminum.
More Corrosion Resistant Than Aluminum: Copper-clad aluminum wire protects the aluminum from corrosion. Almost aluminum needs an antioxidant coating connecting to the power terminal, but copper-clad aluminum doesn't need it.
Good Conductivity: Again, copper-clad aluminum runs somewhat in the middle of the other 2 regarding conductivity.

The Short Reply: Similar with aluminum, you'll need a #iv/0 copper-clad aluminum wire for a 200 amp service.

Other Factors to Consider

Before you lot make your final determination, you need to consider a few other factors.

Voltage Drop: The voltage at your circuit breaker should be 120 volts. Voltage drop means how much ability is lost equally electricity moves along the wire to your devices and appliances. You tin ameliorate your voltage drop by increasing the gauge of your wire.
Distance: Related to the voltage driblet, if you need power across distances longer than 50 feet, you'll probably want a copper wire. A #2/0 copper wire and a #4/0 aluminum wire tin maintain less than a iii% voltage drop over 50 feet. To become beyond 50 anxiety, you'll likely demand a higher judge copper wire.
Local Edifice Codes: Make certain you're familiar with the electric codes in your area past checking the National Electric Code (NEC). Yous besides need to be sure you take all the permits required for this type of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Explore our answers to some of the virtually frequently asked questions virtually what size wire for 200 amp service.

How Much Does it Price to Install 200 Amp Electric Service?

Most of us are just looking to upgrade a 100- to 150-amp service. An upgrade to install a 200 amp electrical service costs betwixt $750 and $ii,000. The range depends on how much wiring you need, how much of an upgrade, etc. A full reset with a new circuit breaker, though, could cost upward to $4,500.

Tin I Run a 200 Amp Subpanel off 200 Amp Chief?

While you lot technically tin can practice this, we would recommend looking into a 400A service. Check the ability usage overall to make sure the subpanel isn't drawing most of the ability for just one or two applications.

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What Size Wire Should I Get for 200 Amp Service?

When upgrading your system to a 200 amp service, you should look for #2/0 copper wiring and #4/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wiring. Use our guide above to decide which is suitable for y'all or if you might need any adjustments.

Call up to acquire well-nigh the regulations and permits in your area, and don't endeavour this without a professional! Again, we highly advise getting a bid from an electrician. It'south like shooting fish in a barrel and free. Just click the green button above.

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